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If you’re like most applicants, you are unaware that LSAC recommends law schools adhere to certain “best practices” in the admissions process. Even though they’re not binding, the guidelines set out what you should generally expect from admissions officials as you navigate this process. At this time of year, perhaps the most important of these guidelines regards commitments—when the law schools can and cannot require some kind of commitment from you. Here’s the entirety of the Good Admission Practices section on commitments:

Commitments
A commitment is defined as an affirmative step taken by an applicant (e.g., submitting a seat deposit or an enrollment form) to indicate their intention to matriculate at an institution.

Member law schools should:

state clearly the policies and processes for submitting a commitment and holding a commitment and, if applicable, their policies regarding... read more »

This is it—last week of classes for Fall 2015! The end is near! For those of you about to graduate, congratulations!! You made it!!

But for the current-year law school applicants, the end is not so near. Sorry. Whether you applied early and are already hearing back from schools, are about to hit submit any second now, or are waiting for your December LSAT score to apply, you’ve still got a lot of the process still ahead. Some guidance:

1. For now, focus on your final exams and papers. If you’re still in college and applying to law school, you need to focus on finishing up the semester successfully first. You will be sending in your Fall 2015 transcript, and these grades do count. Don’t let them dip down now!

2. If you haven’t spoken to recommenders, this may be your last... read more »

So you’re heading home for Thanksgiving. A long weekend filled with opportunities and challenges – yes, I’m talking about your family!
They offer you the opportunity to connect with lawyers, maybe even lots of lawyers. But you might have to be assertive in ferreting out those connections.

They’ll present you with challenging questions about your future. You need to know the answers to some key questions to keep yourself sane and make those conversations productive.

Ready for some tips? Let’s go.

Opportunities
The family is gathered around the sumptuous meal. The whole family. Even that second cousin you barely know, the real estate lawyer from Billerica. Otherwise known as your new best friend. Seriously, if there are any lawyers in attendance at the festivities, it’s super bonus time. Quickly get them past the “don’t go to... read more »

The Hampshire County Bar Association is looking for students to act as mock jurors for a training later this month. From Attorney Marissa Elkins, President of the bar association:

This is a very important training to familiarize attorneys with new attorney-led jury selection procedures that have been put in place in Massachusetts. The training will be conducted by Superior Court Judges Bertha Josephson and Mary Lou Rup (UMass ‘70). We are trying to round up 30 - 40 people to serve as mock jurors.

The training will take place on November 17th at 3 pm at the Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton.. This is a great opportunity to meet lawyers and judges, and to see up close and personal what jury selection looks like (without being on an actual jury!).

Interested students should contact Attorney Elkins directly at melkins@marissaelkinslaw.com.

UPDATE 10/26/15: GOOD NEWS. LSAC has reinstated the refund offer and will also refund December registrations in certain cases. Details here:

LSAC will honor requests for refunds of the additional late registration fee ($90) from candidates who chose not to register by the regular registration deadline for the December LSAT because they needed time to consider their options after receiving their scores from the October test. Candidates who took the October 2015 test and have a valid score will have until November 3, 2015 to register for the December 2015 test. Unfortunately, we are unable to waive the late fee upon registration; therefore, eligible candidates must submit a written request for a refund of the late fee within 4 days after the November 3 late registration deadline. Refunds will not be issued to those who were absent, cancelled their score, or were dismissed from the test. Requests should be emailed to LSACrefunds@LSAC.org and... read more »